HoVA and the Blustery Day(s)

"It's very windy outside!" observed Pooh.

"Must be the remnants of Hurricane Humberto blowing through," said Christopher Robin wisely.

"Then let's go for a bike ride!!!!" suggested Tigger. "It'll be FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN!"

"But it's cold. And I'm slow. I don't like distance or hills," complained Eyeore as he set off on his bike.

Rabbit said, "No no no! I won't go!"

Piglet looked horrified. "A b-b-bike ride? B-b-but it's very very w-w-windy. And w-w-we just rode yesterday. I'm t-t-tired. My b-b-body hurts today. And it's c-c-cold. Let's r-r-rest instead."

"But Piglet," said Pooh. "Remember there was honey at the end of the ride yesterday?"

"Ok-k-kay Pooh. I'll do this for you," Piglet replied sadly, resigned to the inevitable.

Just in case you're wondering about the cast in my stylish reinterpretation of Pooh's little drama, I would be Piglet. Richard is Tigger, and Kermit is Eyeore. Scouter is Rabbit.

So yesterday I rode my first official metric century with Richard, Kermit and my brother-in-law Brent. The rain was supposed to end by midnight but we drove through some black clouds and rain on our way to the starting point in Ashland. We procrastinated a bit through registration and preparations until Richard finally asked Brent and me if we were getting ready for the prom.

I should have blogged about it yesterday because all I really remember today is that it was long. And that the turkey sandwich I had at the lunch stop was wonderful, especially the Hanover tomato. And that the Ben & Jerry's Half Baked ice cream I had at the finish was the best thing I ever tasted. I'll have to buy some - but I have to wonder if it could ever be as good again.

I do have stats: for the first half we averaged a smoking 17.4 mph, and 17.1 mph for the total 62.5 miles. (I had to get that 1/2 mile in there! It was a looooong 1/2 mile!)

When I arrived home, my house was empty so I quickly showered, ate, and hit the couch for a little nap. Which was a mistake because I was groggy for the rest of the day.

Knowing that today's 40 mile route included the Three Sisters (my nemesis - however one might make that word plural) and Horseshoe Hill, I was inclined to ride the 25 mile route today. Then I found out that the 25 mile route was actually 32 and included the Three Sisters. What the heck, may as well do 40. As if I really had a choice - Richard was determined to do 40 all along.

Today's enterprising riders included Kermit, Richard, TriGirls Megan and Annnn. I just may have backed out today if Megan and Annnn hadn't been joining us. Me and my big mouth.




I couldn't get my bike computer to work today for some reason so I have no statistics. Apparently it doesn't like riding two days in a row either! I do know that everyone else's computer said 42 to 42. 6 miles.

We started out easy, winding across the railroad tracks and through a neighborhood. We warned Megan and Annnn about the three sisters and how they lure you into the wrong gear on a nice downhill then slam you into the ground with an abrupt steep uphill. It's like hitting a wall if you're in a high chain ring.

I made it almost all the way up the first hill when my chain fell off. Fortunately, it wasn't very steep at that point so I was able to pull it back on and keep riding. Yes!!! I'm two for four in riding these hills instead of walking.

After taking on all three, we re-grouped. "Wow, that was a great warm up for the Three Sisters," I said to Megan.

"Wha-" Her eyes got huge. I'm not sure whether she wanted to hit me or hug me when I told her I was kidding.

The next few miles were reasonably uneventful. We passed a few historic sights which were open with tours for the ride, but we declined stopping. I'm a fan of stopping and all - it's just starting again that gives me problems.

Finally we hit the rest stop with (yes!) a bathroom and delicious homemade pumpkin bread. I ate my way through the stop until Richard forced me back on my bike. I knew Horseshoe Hill was up soon, and it didn't disappoint. It's not a steep hill; it just doesn't know how to end. It is long slow agony especially since I've only hit it late in any given ride.

At the end of Horseshoe, I remembered the aspirin I'd packed today since I was in desperate need of it yesterday. I slammed two down with my warm water and kept spinning, with thoughts of my good friends Ben & Jerry waiting for me at the finish.

We hit a section of rolling hills, then turned towards our cars - 104 miles in 27 hours. Annn suggested another 20 miles but when we all passed, she poured us each a Guinness instead. I'm not a beer drinker but that tasted awfully good. And ice cream afterwards was fine. Today's selection was Banana Split. Yum.

Almost made it all worthwhile.

No seriously, it was a lot of fun and I'm really glad I did it. Both days.